Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing, Compact

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For Introduction to Literature courses; and 2nd semester Freshman Composition courses that emphasize writing about literature. This compact version of the best-selling Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing retains the dedication to integrating unequalled writing about literature coverage throughout. It is dedicated throughout to the interlocking processes of reading and writing. In addition to carefully chosen literary selections, each chapter contains detailed information about the process of writing about literature, with hundreds of thought-provoking questions and sample student essays.

Thematic Table of Contents

xxxvii

Preface to the Second Compact Edition

xlvi

Introduction: Reading, Responding To, And Writing About Literature

1

(56)

What Is Literature, and why Do We study It?

1

(1)

Types of Literature: The Genres

2

(1)

Reading Literature and Responding to It Actively

3

(2)

The Necklace

5

(7)

Guy de Maupassant

To go to a ball, Mathilde Loisel borrows a necklace from a rich friend, but her rhapsodic evening has unforseen consequences that alter her life

Reading and Responding in a Notebook or Computer File

12

(3)

Writing Essays on Literary Topics

15

(1)

Three Major Stages in Thinking and Writing: Discovering Ideas, Making Initial Drafts, and Completing the Essay

16

(1)

The Discovery of Ideas (``Brainstorming'')

16

(6)

Assembling Materials and Beginning to Write

22

(3)

Drafting the Essay

25

(3)

Writing a First Draft

28

(2)

Developing an Outline

30

(1)

Demonstrative Student Essay, First Draft: Ho IV Setting in ``The Necklace'' Is Related to the Character of Mathilde

31

(1)

Developing and Strengthening Essays through Revision

32

(4)

Checking Development and Organization

36

(2)

Using Exact Comprehensive and Forceful Language

38

(3)

Demonstrative Student Essay, Improved Draft: How Maupassant Uses Setting in ``The Necklace'' to Show the Character of Mathilde

A young country boy grows in awareness, conscience, and individuality despite his hostile father

A Jury of Her Peers

154

(15)

Susan Glaspell

On a small family farm, two women accompanying their husbands on a criminal investigation discover interesting details in the farmhouse kitchen. Their growing realizations force them to make an unexpected decision

Shopping

169

(9)

Joyce Carol Oates

Mrs. Dietrich and her daughter Nola go shopping on Saturday morning, but does their time together bring hoped-for intimacy?

Two Kinds

178

(8)

Amy Tan

Jing-Mei follows her own wishes and leads her own kind of life despite her mother's hopes and guidance

Writing about Character

186

(2)

Demonstrative Student Essay: The Character of Minnie Wright in Susan Glaspell's ``A Jury of Her Peers,''

188

(3)

Special Topics for Writing and Argument about Character

191

(1)

Point of View: The Position or Stance of the Narrator or Speaker

192

(46)

An Exercise in Point of View: Reporting an Accident

194

(1)

Conditions That Affect Point of View

195

(1)

Determining a Work's Point of View

196

(4)

Mingling Points of View

200

(1)

Summary: Guidelines for Point of View

201

(1)

Stories For Study

202

(36)

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

202

(7)

Ambrose Bierce

A condemned man dreams of escape, freedom, and family

The Song of Songs

209

(4)

Ellen Gilchrist

In despair and uncertainty, Barrett Clare receives a phone call from her real mother, whose ``song'' is one of need

The Lottery

213

(6)

Shirley Jackson

What would it be like if the prize at a community-sponsored lottery were not the cash that people ordinarily expect from lottery drawings)?

The Old Chief Mshlanga

219

(8)

Doris Lessing

A woman recalls rural conditions of racial inequality and oppression in colonial Rhodesia

How to Become a Writer

227

(5)

Lorrie Moore

There is more to becoming a writer than simply sitting down at a table and beginning to write